R. RUNBERG CURIOSITIES

DESIGN

R. RUNBERG CURIOSITIES

by Katelyn Rutt photography by Chris Edwards

FFor Ruth Runberg—founder of R. Runberg Curiosities, a Charlotte-based source for unusually beautiful furniture, gifts and accents for the home—a love of the handcrafted is simply part of her DNA.

“I grew up watching both of my parents create,” Runberg says. “Additionally, we were surrounded by quilts, pillows, jewelry and furniture created by extended family and owned across generations. So I developed an appreciation for living with fine craft, and particularly for the humanity that a handmade object carries,” Runberg says. As a result, it’s no surprise that Runberg’s home office—where she meets by appointment with local clients and designers—is thoughtfully filled with a rotating inventory of unique treasures. The self-titled “sourcer” hunts with her clients in mind for rare, one-of-a-kind items that will “make a room sing,” or comprise the perfect tablescape or gift. Runberg’s inventory ranges from hand painted glasses made by a sixth generation family-owned business in Vienna to intricate shellwork pieces from the coast of England, and wax busts of Queen Charlotte in rainbow colors.

“I am not interested in selling huge volumes of mass-produced products to anonymous customers,” Runberg says. “At R. Runberg, we have searched through what’s out there to offer the best of it, along with things you can only find from us. No one needs access to more ‘stuff.’ I sell beautifully unusual pieces that require skill to produce, are a unique expression of my customer, and are meant to be lived with and enjoyed throughout a lifetime.”

This desire for personal connection and meaning reflects throughout every element of Runberg’s business. In the early days, most of her main events were held in residential areas, including her own home, to provide the feeling of walking into a shoppable residence. As attendance grew, Runberg started centering her gatherings around holidays and creating other opportunities to bring Charlotteans together.

“When things began to open from quarantine late last spring, I tented my backyard and set up an outdoor cut flower market with spring flowers ... along with vases, gardening books for inspiration and the best floral shears,” Runberg says. “I potted up plants in antique jardinieres and terra-cotta pots and sold vintage wicker plant stands repainted in soft spring colors. It was about bringing beauty and life back into our lives and homes.”

The sourcer, who has a knack for both finding and creating beauty, notes that different cultures, traditions and styles serve as major inspiration for what she does. She adds that each new discovery reminds her of the talented people she’s met and the extraordinary travels she’s experienced. Just as much as Runberg looks forward to building out her team and hosting events in different cities in the coming years, she also plans to maintain the special relationships she has with her clients and a niche, meaningful inventory.

“Throughout my life and career, the awe I have for something beautifully made by human hands has never diminished,” Runberg says. “It’s like magic to me!”

sophisticated design. personal approach.

INDULGENT, PRACTICAL, BEAUTIFUL

Bedside Manor is a luxurious shopping experience.

BBedside Manor, nestled in the heart of Charlotte’s SouthPark, has established itself as a mainstay in the community for 27 years. The boutique—oftentimes the only area distributor for stock of its kind—carries the most opulent home essentials, gifts and décor, as well as offers customers a luxurious shopping experience. by Katelyn Rutt teen. Each piece of sheeting is made from the finest cotton in the world, grown in the Nile River valley. Hot sleepers and those who struggle with allergies and asthma now have a new option for nighttime relief. The store’s private label silk filled comforter absorbs moisture and effectively main“We work to create that atmosphere here in the shop by carrying a collection of carefully curated merchandise that will promote and evoke a feeling of relaxation and calm,” Owner Laura Fitch says. “From the scents in our candle lines to the plushness of our towels and the softness of our sheets. Each item is chosen to help create those feelings.” A newer addition to the Bedside Manor collection, the eiderdown comforter, adds fresh meaning to the term “lavish.” Known for its unparalleled insulation properties, the soft down—culled from the rare Icelandic eider duck—is encased in silk ticking for a gleaming finish. Weightless and indulgent, this comforter is as practical as it is beautiful. The store also stocks a variety of Giza sheeting, from airy-light percale to plush satains body temperature for a cool, restful sleep. Each comforter is filled with long strand mulberry floss—the highest and purest of its kind—and offers a casing option of 230-count white cotton dobby, silk-cotton Whispercale® or silk habotai. Fitch notes that she is extremely excited to share this specific launch with customers. “This is a project we have been working on for a long time and I am excited to present it ... this fall. However, elevating a home at Bedside Manor doesn’t end with bedding. A chair, sofa or loveseat crowned with an irresistibly-soft cashmere throw is instantly transformed into a peaceful sanctuary. Some of the boutique’s most luxurious blankets are handwoven with Nepalese cashmere, and offered in a variety of warming neutrals.